Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1887-12-04
TIE FoURrH PART.
[CoNTINUED ]
CHAPTER NXI.

w NAC ANAAEN ~ RNAN -
sent for a dag c. two ON business connected
with the affairs of The hotel.
TIE rooms reserved for the travellers, on
the first floor. we're three in number, con-
sistiag Of two bedrooms opening into each
other, and communicating ou the left with
a drawing room. Complete so far, the ar
rangements proved to be less satisfactory
in reference to the third bedroom required
for Agnes and for the eldest daughter OF
Lord Mcntbarry, who usually slept with
her on their travels. The bed chamber on
the right of the drawing room was already
occupied by an English widow lady. Other
bed chambers at the other end of the cor
ridor were also let in every case. There
WAS, accordingly, no alternative but to
place at the disposal OF Agnes q comfort
able room ON the second floor, Lady
MontbaTry yainly complained Of this sepa-
ration ofOne Of the members of her travel
ing party from the rest. The housekeeper
politely binted that it was impossible for
her to ask other travellers to give up their
rooms. She could only express her regret,
and ASSURE Miss Lockwood that her bed
chamber on the second floor was one of the
best rooms in that part OF the hotel.
On the retirement of the hOusekeeper
Lady Montbarry noticed that Agnes seated
herself apart, ieelingapparently no interest
In the question of the bedrooms. Was she
IN? No; she felt a little unneryed by the
railway journey, and that was all. Hear
ing this, Lord MOntbary proposed that she
should 20 out with him and try the eX.
pertinent of half an hours walk in the
cool air. Agnes gladly accepted the sug
gestiOn. They directed their steps toward
the square st. Mark, 80 aS to enjoy the
breeze blowing over the lagoon. 1t was
the first visit Of Agnes 10 Venice. The
fascination of the wonderful city of the
waters exerted its full influence over her
sensitive nature. The proposed half hour
of the walk bad passed away and was fast
expanding TO half an hour more before
Lord MOntbarry could persuade his COM
panion to remember that dinner was wait
ing for them. As they returned, passing
under the cOlonnade. neither of them no.
ticed a lady ia deep mourning lettering in
the open space of the square. She started
IS she recognized Agnes walking with the
new Lord MOntbarry, hesitated for a mo
ment and then followed them, at a discreet
distance. back to the hotel.
Lady Monsblrry received Agnes in high
spirits with news of an event which had
happened in her absence.
She had not left the hotel more thsn ten
minutes before q little note in pencil was
brought to Lady Montbarry by the house
keeper. The writer proved to be no less a
person than the widow lady who occupied
the room on the other side Of the drawing
room which her ladyship had yainly hoped
to secure for Agnes. Writing under the
name Of Mrs. James, the polite widow ex-
planned that she had heard from the house
keeper Of the disappointment experienced
by Lady Montbarry in the matter of the
rOOms. Mrs. James was quite alone; Ind,
IS long as her bedchamber was airy and
comfortable, it wGttered nothing 10 her
whether she slept ON the first or the second
floor Of the house. She had accordingly
much pleasure in proposing to change
rooms with Miss Lockwood. Her luggage
had already been removed, and Miss Lock
wood had only to take possession Of the
room NO. 13A), which was now entirely at
her disposal.
81 immediately proposed to see Mrs.
James," Lady Montharry continued, land
TO thank her personally for her extreme
kindness. But l was informed that she
had gore out, without leaving word at
what hour she might be expected 20 return.
! have written a LITTLE note of thanks, say.
Ing that we hope 10 have the pleasure OF
personally expressing our sense Of Mrs.
James courtesy tomorrow. 10 the mean
time, Agnes, | have ordered your boxes TO
he removed downstairs. Go and Judge for
yourself, my dear, if that good lady has
not given mp to you the prettiest room in
the house"
With these words Lady MOntbarry left
Miss Lockwood to make a hasty toilet for
dinner.
The new room at once produced a favor
able impression on Agnes. The large win
dow, opening into Il balcony, commanded
an admirable view ofthe canal. The deco
ratiOns on the walls and ceilings were care
fully copied from the exquisitely graceful
designs Of Raphael in the Vatican. The
massive wardrobe possessed compartments
of unusual size, in which double the num-
Der Of dresses that Agnes possessed might
have conveniently hung AT full length. 10
the inner corner OF the room, near the head
of the bedStead, there was q recess which
had been turned intOa little dressing room,
and which opened by q second door on the
inferior staircase OF the hotel, commonly
used by the servants. Noticing these as
peetSof the room Mt q glance, Agnes made
the necessary change in her dress as quickly
as possible. On her way back to the draw
ing room she, was addressed by a chamber
maid in the corridor, who asked for the
key. 81 will put your room tidy for the
night miss" the woman said, land will
then bring the key back to you in the
drawing room
While the chambermaid was at her work
q solitary lady lettering about the corridor
of the second story, was watching her over
the baluSters. After q while the maid APP
peared with her pail in her hand, leaving
the room by way of the dressing room and
the back stairs. As she passed out of sight
the lady on the second floor mo other, it
is needless to add, than the countess her
self ran swiftly down the stair, entered
the bedchamber by the principal door and
hid herself in the empty side compartment
of the wardrobe. The chambermaid re-
turned, completed her work, locked the
door of the dressing room on the inner side,
locked the principal entrance door on leav-
ing the room, and returned the key to
Agnes in the drawing room.
The travellers were Just sitting down TO
their late dinner when one of the children
noticed that Agnes was not wearing her
watch. Had she left it in her bedchamber
in the hurry Of changing her dress2 She
rose from the table at once in search of her
watch; Lady MOntbarry advising her as
she went out TO see to security of her bed
chamber in the event of there being thieves
in the house. Agnes found her watch, for
gotten, on the toilet table, as she had an
~tieipated. Before leaving the room again
she acted on Lady Montbarry's advice and
tried the key in the lock of the dressing
room door. She left the ned chamber,